Discern false teachers

Discern false teachers

1 Timothy 4:1-16

□ Praise and Sharing

Hymn 366 Brighten my dark eyes

How did you spend last week?

 

The devil was cunning enough to quote the Old Testament when testing Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6, Psalm 91:11,12). The devil still uses false doctrine that sounds convincing to make the believer depart from the path of truth. A holy worker must not only follow the right teachings, but also nurture the saints with the right teachings and help them grow into good workers of Christ. In order to carry out this work, it is essential to discern and forbid false teachers.

 

□ The Word and Sharing

1. The Lord’s servants must discern false teachings and enlighten our brothers (verses 1-5).

1) What did the Holy Spirit clearly say? (verse 1)

1 But the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will turn away from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.

 

The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the latter days some will turn away from the faith and follow deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.

2) What do false teachers teach (verse 3a)?

3 Marriage is forbidden and certain foods are forbidden to be eaten, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

False teachers teach against marriage and against eating certain foods.

3) What conclusion did Paul reach on this issue (verse 4)?

4 For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.

Paul concludes on this issue that nothing is to be rejected if everything God has created is good and is received with gratitude.

<Sharing 1> Paul said extreme asceticism is ‘departing from the faith and following the teachings of deceiving spirits and demons.’ Uncontrolled greed is a problem, but excessive abstinence that suppresses even basic desires is also a problem. Let’s talk about why excessive abstinence is bad and what problems it causes.

Excessive abstinence does not follow the work of the personal Holy Spirit. Rather, the presence and dynamic work of the Holy Spirit is blocked by artificial precepts. This started from a dualistic thinking structure that regards the body as sin and completely separates the spirit and body. In other words, it is thought that the spirit is good and the flesh, which comes from matter, is evil. However, anyone who tries to achieve profound spirituality through this type of abstinence has misunderstood Christian spirituality. Christian spirituality is a spirituality of joy, and it is about joyfully following Jesus, who gives us the ability to carry our cross. Obtaining such pleasure through the practice of ascetic self-control can be an excuse for self-deception.

 

<Sharing 2> Everything created by God is holy if we receive and enjoy it with a grateful heart without misusing or abusing it.. Among the things that God has placed in this world, let us introduce the things that we especially enjoy with gratitude, the sacred things that we enjoy.

Last Monday, I had lunch with my seminary classmates and took a walk around Lake Park. This is something that God has placed in this world, a sacred thing that we enjoy with gratitude.

2. The Lord’s servant must strive for godly training and be an example for believers (verses 6-16).

1) Compared to physical training, what are the benefits of godly training (verse 8)?

8 Bodily discipline is of some benefit, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise for this life and for the life to come.

Physical training has some benefit, but godly training is beneficial in all things and holds promise for this life and the life to come.

 

2) In what ways should the Lord’s servant be an example to believers? (verse 12b)

12 Let no one despise your youth, but set an example to the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

The Lord's servant must be an example to believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

 

<Sharing 3> Just as exercise is necessary for a healthy body, training is also necessary for the godliness of our soul. Let’s share what training we need to lead a godly life.

When I was working in the past, with the help of Business Bible Belt (BBB) ​​and Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC), I received discipleship training and evangelism explosion training at NLTC (New Life Training Center). We again need godly training to mature our faith in a balanced way through prayer, fellowship, and evangelism.

 

□ Let's pray together

Lord, help us to enjoy everything You have given us with thanksgiving.

Help us to discern false teachers and not fall into wrong extreme asceticism!

Let us be an example to believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and chastity!

Let us receive balanced godly training in the Word, prayer, fellowship, and evangelism!

 

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